The essential feature of Stuttering is a disturbance in the normal fluency and time patterning or speech that is inappropriate for the individual’s age. This is characterised by frequent repetitions or prolongations of sounds or syllables. The disturbance in fluency interferes with academic and occupational achievements as well as social communication. If a speech- motor or sensory deficit or a neurological disorder id present then stuttering will not be diagnosed. Stuttering may be accompanied by motor movements ( e.g., eye blinks, tics, tremors of the lips or face). Stress or anxiety are shown to exacerbate Stuttering. Stuttering usually becomes known typically between the ages of 2 and 7 years starting gradually and tending to be episodic. Estimates of recovery are between 20% to 80%, additionally some individuals also recover spontaneously usually before 16 years.
American Psychiatric Association: (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition.). Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association.
